Brassiere system with removable shoulder straps

ABSTRACT

The invention involves a brassiere system with removable shoulder straps including a fastening mechanism at the apex of each cup. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the brassiere includes a coupling mechanism that facilitates removal of the straps at each apex as well as at the posterior of the brassiere&#39;s chest band. The removable shoulder straps may be decorative and interchangeable to accommodate different designs to match different outfits.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a brassiere with removable shoulder straps, and more specifically, to a brassiere including a coupling mechanism that facilitates removal of the straps at each apex as well as at the posterior of the brassiere; the removable shoulder straps may be decorative and interchangeable to accommodate different designs that match different outfits.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent application may contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or registered trademarks of third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is by way of example and should not be construed as descriptive or to limit the scope of this invention to material associated only with such marks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that brassieres have evolved into a fashion item, with various designs, characteristics, and constructed of a wide variety of materials and with varying complexity. The main components of most brassieres include a torso component, a pair of cups across the front of the torso component, and shoulder straps connecting the anterior and posterior portions of the torso component. The torso component, which includes the cups that hold the breasts, is typically referred to as the chest band. The chest band may be fastened at a posterior portion or the anterior portion of the brassiere (i.e. bridging the cups together with a fastener or the like). Whether a fastener is implemented at the anterior portion of the chest band, or at the posterior portion of the chest band, the section that connects the cups is typically referred to as a center front gore, or the bridge. The sections connecting either side of the cups with the posterior portion of the chest band are referred to as the wings. The posterior end of the chest band is most often coupled together with what is commonly referred to as a hook-and-eye closure.

The shoulder straps are typically permanently attached to a front portion of the chest band, for example at the apex of each of the cups of the brassier. One problem with these prior art brassieres is that the shoulder straps cannot be removed, and often make the task of removing the brassiere difficult, typically requiring removal of the garment by accessing the fastener located at the back of the brassiere. Thus, there is a need in the art for a brassiere including easily removable shoulder straps.

As mentioned above, different types of brassieres exist in the prior art with different designs for different styles of wear. For example, some brassieres are entirely strapless. These are desirable for wearing blouses or tops that expose the shoulders. Consequently, some women's breasts are not properly supported by strapless brassieres; this rules out wearing certain outfits. Moreover, the problem with wearing regular brassieres with outfits that, for example, expose their shoulders is that regular brassieres have shoulder straps including designs that often interfere with the design of their outfit. While perhaps a certain outfit may be worn with one particular brassier, wearer may find themselves purchasing numerous brassieres in order to match with several outfits. Thus, there is a need in the art for a brassiere that includes interchangeable straps that match multiple outfits.

Therefore, there exists a previously unappreciated need for a new and improved brassiere that includes an easily accessible connection means, allowing the shoulder straps to be easily removed, and including interchangeable shoulder straps for wearing the brassiere with different outfits.

It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention describes a brassiere with removable shoulder straps. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the brassiere includes a coupling mechanism that facilitates removal of the straps at each apex as well as at the posterior of the brassiere's chest band; the removable shoulder straps may be decorative and interchangeable to accommodate different designs to match different outfits.

A brassiere in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a chest band, including a top perimeter and cups, the cups connected by a bridge at an anterior portion of the chest band, each cup protruding from a neckline and having an apex, wherein each apex connects the top of each cup to the top perimeter of the chest band; one or more snap fasteners positioned at each apex of each cup of the chest band; and removable shoulder straps including posterior terminal ends and anterior terminal ends, wherein the anterior terminal ends comprise of one or more snap fastener receiving members for coupling with the one or more snap fasteners at each apex of each cup of the chest band.

Another brassiere in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a chest band, including a top perimeter and cups, the cups connected by a bridge at an anterior portion of the chest band, each cup protruding from a neckline and having an apex, wherein each apex connects the top of each cup to the top perimeter of the chest band; snap fasteners positioned at each apex of each cup of the chest band; and removable shoulder straps including posterior terminal ends and anterior terminal ends, wherein the anterior terminal ends comprise of snap fastener receiving members for coupling with the one or more snap fasteners at each apex of each cup of the chest band, and wherein the posterior terminal ends of the removable shoulder straps include one or more connectors for coupling to one or more connector receiving members positioned along a portion of each removable shoulder strap.

Yet another brassiere in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a chest band, including a top perimeter and cups, the cups connected by a bridge at an anterior portion of the chest band, each cup protruding from a neckline and having an apex, wherein each apex connects the neckline to the top of each cup and the top perimeter of the chest band; snap fasteners positioned at each apex region of each cup of the chest band; and a plurality of removable shoulder straps including posterior terminal ends and anterior terminal ends, wherein the anterior terminal ends comprise of snap fastener receiving members for coupling with the snap fasteners at each apex region of each cup of the chest band, and wherein the posterior terminal ends of the removable shoulder straps include: a single snap fastener and a plurality of snap fastener receiving members adapted to couple with the single snap fastener of the terminal posterior ends of the removable shoulder straps, the posterior terminal ends of the removable shoulder straps configured to thread through coupling the coupling rings of the posterior of the chest band, wherein the plurality of snap fastener receiving members are separated from the single snap fastener by a predetermined length in order to provide adjustability of the removable shoulder straps.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a brassiere with removable shoulder straps.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a brassiere that includes a shoulder strap coupling mechanism at the apex of each cup of the brassier.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a brassiere that includes a shoulder strap coupling mechanism at the apex of each cup and at a posterior of the chest band.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a brassiere that includes interchangeable shoulder straps, including different shoulder strap designs for matching with multiple outfits.

These advantages and features of the present invention are not meant as limiting objectives, but are described herein with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of the various embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1(a) illustrates one embodiment of a brassiere in accordance with the present invention, shown with the removable shoulder straps coupled to the chest band of the brassiere.

FIG. 1(b) illustrates one embodiment of a brassiere in accordance with the present invention, shown with the removable shoulder straps decoupled from the chest band of the brassiere.

FIG. 1(c) illustrates a back view of a brassiere in accordance with the present invention, further depicting the coupling mechanism at an apex of the cups of the brassiere.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a brassiere in accordance with the present invention, this embodiment including a different configuration for a coupling mechanism at the apex region of the cups of the brassiere.

FIG. 3(a) illustrates another embodiment of a brassiere in accordance with the present invention, this embodiment including a yet another configuration for a coupling mechanism at the apex of the cups of the brassiere.

FIG. 3(b) illustrates another embodiment of a brassiere in accordance with the present invention, this embodiment including a yet another configuration for a coupling mechanism at the apex of the cups of the brassiere.

FIG. 4(a)-4(d) illustrate different designs for shoulder straps that enable matching the shoulder straps with multiple outfits.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying figures, which form a part thereof. Depictions are made, by way of illustration, of specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced; however, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Generally, the invention involves a brassiere that includes a body or chest band, comprising removable shoulder straps configured with coupling mechanisms that enable the straps to be attached and detached at the apex region of the cups of the brassiere, as well as at a posterior end of the chest band; this configuration permits the shoulder straps to be completely separated from the chest band or body of the brassier. Accordingly, the removable shoulder straps may be interchanged with other differently styled shoulder straps so that a wearer may match with different outfits. In exemplary embodiments, the chest band includes cups that protrude from a neckline and are connected to the perimeter of the chest band by an apex region. At each apex region of each cup of the brassier, one or more snap fasteners may be implemented in order to register with snap fastener receiving members positioned at anterior ends of the removable shoulder straps. At the posterior ends of the removable shoulder straps, various fastening mechanisms may be implemented in order to couple and decouple the removable shoulder straps from the posterior of the chest band.

In exemplary embodiments, the removable shoulder straps may provide a decorative surface that matches a particular outfit. In other exemplary embodiments, the removable shoulder straps may include a top surface adapted to receive decorative items—for example, a surface of a removable shoulder strap may be adapted with a fabric configured so that a variety of accessories may be permanently or temporarily affixed with decorative items such as heat-fixed jewels, or decorative crystals, or any other type of decorative items.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1(a) illustrates one embodiment of a brassiere in accordance with the present invention, shown with removable shoulder straps coupled to the chest band of the brassiere; FIG. 1(b) illustrates the same embodiment of the brassiere in FIG. 1(a), shown with the removable shoulder straps decoupled from the chest band of the brassiere. More specifically, FIG. 1(a)-1(b) depict brassiere 100, which includes several components: mainly, a body, or chest band 101, which includes cups 102 a and 102 b, wings 103 a and 103 b, bridge 104, and perimeter 105, which substantially wraps around a wearer's torso. Cups 102 a and 102 b include an apex region, or apex regions 105 a and 105 b, and make up the front portion of chest band 101 from a bottom portion to the neckline (i.e. 106 a and 106 b). Brassiere 100 further includes removable shoulder straps 108 a and 108 b.

Chest band 101 may be constructed of any number of materials without deviating from the scope of the present invention. For example, and without limitation, chest band 101 may comprise linen, cotton broadcloth, twill weaves tricot, spandex, lycra, elastane, latex, microfibers, satin, jacquard weaving, foams, mesh, lace, or any other natural or synthetic fibers with some degree of desirable elasticity.

Cups 102 a and 102 b may be similarly constructed of varying materials well known in the art. Cups 102 a and 102 b may include an underwire for added support, as is typically implemented within an inner cavity formed by a plurality of layers of fabric that encapsulate the underwire. Cups 102 a and 102 b may include padding, or may exclude padding altogether without deviating from the scope of the present invention. To provide a connection means for coupling and decoupling the removable shoulder straps, cups 102 a and 102 b include snap fasteners 116 a, 116 b and 117 a, 117 b, respectively, which may be constructed of metal, plastics or any other suitable material that enables removable shoulder straps 108 a and 108 b to snap on or off. More importantly, snap fasteners 116 a, 116 b and 117 a, 117 b, are positioned an apex of each cup of brassiere 100.

Similarly, removable shoulder straps 108 a and 108 b, may be constructed of well known materials that may include linen, cotton broadcloth, twill weaves tricot, spandex, lycra, elastane, latex, microfibers, satin, jacquard weaving, foams, mesh, lace, or any other natural or synthetic fibers with some degree of desirable elasticity. Additionally, removable shoulder straps 108 a and 108 b may include various designs or different types of materials to match different style clothing items.

As briefly mentioned above, chest band 101 includes an anterior portion, or the front of chest band 101, wherein cups 102 a and 102 b protrude from a neckline comprising neckline portions 106 a and 106 b. Connecting perimeter 105 with neckline portions 106 a and 106 b, the apex of each cup 102 a and 102 b, or apex 105 a and apex 105 b, reside at a top portion of each of the cups of the brassiere. In this apex region, or at apex 105 a and apex 105 b, a coupling mechanism or connector may be implemented, which facilitates the removal of the brassiere's shoulder straps. This coupling mechanism and various embodiments therein, will be discussed in more detail below.

As shown in the present embodiment, chest band 101 of brassiere 100 includes the anterior portion comprising the cups, neckline and bridge, and a posterior portion connected to the anterior portion via perimeter 105, which runs atop of chest band 101. Furthermore, between either side of brassiere 100, wings 103 a and 103 b connect the anterior and posterior portions to form the tubular body or chest band 101 of brassiere 100. At the posterior portion of chest band 101, connection mechanism 107 connects chest band 101 at the back of the wearer.

Removable shoulder straps 108 a and 108 b may be coupled to snap fasteners (referenced in FIGS. 1(b) as 116 a, 117 a, and 116 b, 117 b), which may be affixed to or positioned at the apex regions 105 a and 105 b of cups 102 a and 102 b, respectively. Furthermore, removable shoulder straps 108 a and 108 b may be coupled to the posterior region of chest band 101, particularly—in this embodiment—above connecting mechanism 107 and positioned on perimeter 105. Removable shoulder straps 108 a and 108 b include terminal anterior ends and terminal posterior ends, wherein the various connection mechanisms or connectors may be implemented.

In the embodiments shown by FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b), removable shoulder straps 108 a and 108 b include posterior terminal ends 110 a and 110 b, respectively. At the posterior ends, various connecting means may be implemented including hook and loop fasteners, Velcro®, hook fasteners and hook receiving members, or any other known mechanism suitable for connecting the fabric that forms the removable shoulder straps and the body of the brassiere. In the illustrated embodiment, removable shoulder straps 108 a and 108 b may be coupled to chest band 101 by threading each strap through rings 111 a and 111 b, respectively. Each posterior end 110 a, 110 b of removable shoulder straps 108 a, 108 b may further include snap fasteners 112 a and 112 b, which register with snap fastener receiving members 109 a and 109 b, respectively.

Similarly, each removable shoulder strap 108 a and 108 b includes an anterior terminal end 113 a and 113 b, wherein one or more snap fastener receiving members 114 a, 114 b and 115 a, 115 b may be coupled or decoupled from the anterior portion of chest band 101 by registering with snap fasteners 116 a, 116 b, and 117 a, 117 b.

FIG. 1(c) illustrates a back view of a brassiere in accordance with the present invention, further depicting the coupling mechanism at an apex of the cups of the brassiere.

Whether the snap fasteners at the apex of the cups of a brassiere in accordance with this invention, are hidden or implemented within an inner portion of the cups of the brassier, the snap fasteners typically protrude at a back portion of the cups of the brassiere in order to register with the snap fastener receiving members of the anterior ends of the removable shoulder straps. For example, FIG. 1(c) illustrates a back view of cups of a brassiere in accordance with the present invention, showing the snap fasteners. Again, whether a front of the fasteners protrudes through the front of each cup, or whether the fastener fronts are hidden as illustrated in FIG. 3(b), typically the snap fasteners protrude from the back of each cup so that they may register with the fastener receiving members on the straps—this feature allows each shoulder strap to be easily removed from the front of the brassier.

Furthermore, since each shoulder strap may include a connection mechanism at a posterior portion with the chest band, the shoulder straps become fully removable and may be separated from the body of the brassier. This enables the shoulder straps to be an interchangeable item that may be provided together with the brassiere's body as well as separately as an enhancement accessory to match different types or designs of clothing.

Turning to the next figure, FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a brassiere in accordance with the present invention, this embodiment including a different configuration for a coupling mechanism at the apex region of the cups of the brassiere. More specifically, brassiere 200 is depicted including plurality of snap fasteners 215 a and 215 b, in a configuration that matches the contour of the apex of each cup of the brassier. In this embodiment, each removable shoulder strap includes an anterior terminal end 213 a and 213 b, configured to include snap fastener receiving members 214 a and 214 b—similarly positioned to register with snap fasteners 215 a and 215 b.

Yet other alternative embodiments may include any number of configurations for the fasteners that enable coupling and decoupling the removable shoulder straps. For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, FIG. 3(a) illustrates another embodiment of a brassiere in accordance with the present invention, this embodiment including one configuration for a coupling mechanism at the apex of the cups of the brassiere, wherein a single snap fastener 305 is affixed to the cup of brassiere 300, the snap fastener adapted to register with a single snap fastener receiving member 313.

FIG. 3(b) illustrates yet another embodiment of a brassiere in accordance with the present invention, this embodiment including a configuration for a coupling mechanism at the apex of the cups of the brassiere, wherein the snap fasteners may be hidden from view. This may be desirable so that the snap fasteners do not protrude through tightly worn clothing. As such, in this embodiment of brassiere 300, snap fasteners 306 and 307 may be implemented within an internal cavity of the cups of the brassier. As mentioned above, the cups may be constructed of multiple layers of fabrics and materials that crate an inner portion wherein snap fasteners 306 and 307 may be implemented. As with the previous embodiments, the removable shoulder straps include snap fastener receiving members (i.e. here snap fastener receiving members 314 and 315), which register with snap fasteners 306 and 307.

Turning to the last figures, FIG. 4(a)-4(d) illustrate different designs for shoulder straps that enable matching the shoulder straps with multiple outfits. The varying strap designs may include different fabrics, colors, patterns, materials or any other number of different characteristics that provide stylistic choices to the wearer. In this way, a brassiere in accordance with the present invention may provide multiple wearable items via a single unit.

In exemplary embodiments, for example as shown in FIG. 4(a), a removable shoulder strap may include a top surface constructed of a fabric or material adapted to receive decorative items. For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, jewel crystals such as Swarovski® crystals may be applied to a surface suitable for heat set materials. Heat set materials typically include an adhesive on the decorative item, and may be affixed on fabrics by the application of heat. Once affixed, the jewels or decorative items permanently or temporarily decorate the fabric. Hence, in one embodiment of the present invention, the shoulder straps may be provided to wearers as a canvas for the wearer to decorate.

On any given occasion, several types of clothing may be worn with a brassiere in accordance with the present invention, since an accommodating removable shoulder strap may easily be implemented; to accommodate different occasions, differently styled shoulder straps may be interchanged.

A brassiere with removable shoulder straps has been described. The foregoing description of the various exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A brassiere, comprising: a chest band, including a top perimeter and cups, the cups connected by a bridge at an anterior portion of the chest band, each cup protruding from a neckline and having an apex, wherein each apex connects the top of each cup to the top perimeter of the chest band; one or more snap fasteners positioned at each apex of each cup of the chest band; and removable shoulder straps including posterior terminal ends and anterior terminal ends, wherein the anterior terminal ends comprise of one or more snap fastener receiving members for coupling with the one or more snap fasteners at each apex of each cup of the chest band.
 2. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the apex of each cup includes a pair of snap fasteners, and wherein the anterior ends of the removable straps include a pair of snap fastener receiving members.
 3. The brassiere of claim 2, wherein the two snap fasteners are hidden in an interior portion of each cup.
 4. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the apex of each cup includes a single snap fastener, and wherein the anterior ends of the removable straps include a single snap fastener receiving member.
 5. The brassiere of claim 4, wherein the single snap fastener is hidden in an interior portion of each cup.
 6. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the posterior terminal ends of the removable shoulder straps include one or more connectors for coupling to one or more connector receiving members positioned along a portion of each removable shoulder strap.
 7. The brassiere of claim 6, wherein the one or more connectors of the removable shoulder straps comprise of a hook.
 8. The brassiere of claim 7, wherein the one or more connector receiving members of the removable shoulder straps comprise of a hook receiving fastener.
 9. The brassiere of claim 6, wherein the one or more connectors of the removable shoulder straps comprise of a single snap fastener.
 10. The brassiere of claim 9, wherein the one or more connector receiving members of the removable shoulder straps comprise of a plurality of snap fastener receiving members.
 11. The brassiere of claim 10, wherein the plurality of snap fastener receiving members are separated from the single snap fastener by a predetermined length in order to provide adjustability of the removable shoulder straps.
 12. The brassiere of claim 11, further comprising rings at the posterior portion of the chest band, the rings configured to receive each of the posterior terminal ends of the removable shoulder straps.
 13. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the removable shoulder straps include a top surface adapted to receive one or more heat-fixed decorative items.
 14. A brassiere, comprising: a chest band, including a top perimeter and cups, the cups connected by a bridge at an anterior portion of the chest band, each cup protruding from a neckline and having an apex, wherein each apex connects the top of each cup to the top perimeter of the chest band; a pair of snap fasteners positioned at each apex of each cup of the chest band; and removable shoulder straps including posterior terminal ends and anterior terminal ends, wherein the anterior terminal ends comprise of snap fastener receiving members for coupling with the one or more snap fasteners at each apex of each cup of the chest band, and wherein the posterior terminal ends of the removable shoulder straps include one or more connectors for coupling to one or more connector receiving members positioned along a portion of each removable shoulder strap.
 15. The brassiere of claim 12, wherein the one or more connectors of the removable shoulder straps comprise of a single snap fastener.
 16. The brassiere of claim 13, wherein the one or more connector receiving members of the removable shoulder straps comprise of a plurality of snap fastener receiving members.
 17. The brassiere of claim 14, wherein the plurality of snap fastener receiving members are separated from the single snap fastener by a predetermined length in order to provide adjustability of the removable shoulder straps.
 18. The brassiere of claim 15, further comprising rings at the posterior portion of the chest band, the rings configured to receive each of the posterior terminal ends of the removable shoulder straps.
 19. The brassiere of claim 12, wherein the removable shoulder straps include a top surface adapted to receive heat-fixed decorative items.
 20. A brassiere system with interchangeable shoulder straps, comprising: a chest band, including a top perimeter and cups, the cups connected by a bridge at an anterior portion of the chest band, each cup protruding from a neckline and having an apex, wherein each apex connects the neckline to the top of each cup and the top perimeter of the chest band; snap fasteners positioned at each apex region of each cup of the chest band; and a plurality of removable shoulder straps including posterior terminal ends and anterior terminal ends, wherein the anterior terminal ends comprise of snap fastener receiving members for coupling with the snap fasteners at each apex region of each cup of the chest band, and wherein the posterior terminal ends of the removable shoulder straps include: a single snap fastener and a plurality of snap fastener receiving members adapted to couple with the single snap fastener of the terminal posterior ends of the removable shoulder straps, the posterior terminal ends of the removable shoulder straps configured to thread through coupling the coupling rings of the posterior of the chest band, wherein the plurality of snap fastener receiving members are separated from the single snap fastener by a predetermined length in order to provide adjustability of the removable shoulder straps. 